731st AMS "deploys" to Kunsan for training

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Candy Knight
  • 51st Fighter Wing Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  Twenty-five personnel from the 731st Air Mobility Squadron temporary "deployed" to Kunsan Air Base, Republic of Korea, Sept. 21 Sept to Oct. 1, for a training event designed to enhance the unit's mission capabilities and efficiency.

"The purpose of this training experience was to ensure Air Mobility Command missions continue to provide airlift to the South Korean peninsula and still maintain support of warfighters around the globe," said Capt. Joseph Colella, 731st AMS aerial port operations officer. "In addition the team ensured USFK personnel property and household baggage continued to flow in and out of South Korea."

According to Captain Colella, Kunsan was chosen as the training site because of its easy accessibility for 731st AMS military and Korean National personnel.

"Furthermore, Kunsan has the ability to support AMC aircraft with acceptable runways, infrastructures, personnel and material handling equipment," he added.
Working alongside their Kunsan counterparts, the team performed mission tasks safely and successfully. Along the way, they learned important lessons about teamwork and dedication.

"By joining ranks with personnel from the 8th Fighter Wing and Contract Air Terminal Operations out of Kunsan, the Air Mobility Command met it mission head on," Captain Colella said. "There was a 100 percent mission take-off time and zero safety mishaps, thus maintaining the motto 'Mission First, Safety Always.'"

Kunsan's location, which is more limited in size and operational space than at Osan, offered more challenges. Nevertheless, the experience provided additional insight for team.

"It was a remarkable trip," said Staff Sgt. Matt Matthews, cargo services supervisor. "Osan worked great together. The Kunsan personnel were really helpful. All in all, it was a great trip and we all came together and helped each other out when in need."

Captain Colella added that the training event proved that the 731st AMS can operate in outside the friendly confines of Osan.

"It's our job to make sure Global Reach and Global Power continue to service the Korean AOR," he said. "Be it an Airman's living room furniture or a mission-critical explosive asset for a weapons system in South Korea; the men and women of the 731st AMS will make sure the property gets in the hands of the right owner, at the right time and at the right places."